Manchester councils want the government to create a single public authority to coordinate transport, regeneration and economic development in Greater Manchester.

Today, Manchester’s 10 councils submitted a proposal to the government on creating a body to deliver new powers which have been devolved to so-called City Regions.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority would establish a joint committee responsible for delivering transport across the Manchester City Region, comparable to Transport for London.

The scheme is part of a wider drive to give more power over spending on infrastructure to core cities through the use of pilot City Regions.

This includes other powers over deciding how to manage and invest in transport, skills, economic development and low carbon.

The Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Transport are now considering the proposal, with a new authority expected for 1 April 2011 at the earliest.

Sir Richard Leese, vice chair of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities and leader of Manchester City Council said: “Today’s announcement is particularly important in times of economic constraints to ensure we can exercise influence over priorities to accelerate our position as we come out of the recession.

“This is probably the most significant  opportunity we have had to create a platform for genuine devolution.”

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